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Pakistan reviews "progress" in probe into Indian airbase attack

Xinhua, January 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

Pakistan top civil and military leaders on Friday "reviewed the progress made on the information provided by the Government of India" about the Pathankot attack that has posed serious challenges to the proposed official talks between the two neighbours.

Both countries have agreed to resume the "comprehensive dialogue" this month after a deadlock of seven years. India had put a pause on bilateral dialogue with Pakistan after the 2008 attacks in Mumbai.

Pakistani officials have earlier confirmed that Indian authorities have shared some "leads" with Pakistan related to the militants attack on the airbase.

The Press Trust of India reported on Thursday that India has identified militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar, his brother Rauf, and two others as "handlers" behind the attack upon Pathankot airbase.

This information has been conveyed to Pakistani side by India, PTI said.

Indian officials were quoted as saying the ball is in Pakistan's court as for whether the foreign secretary-level talks of the two countries would be held this month.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif presided over a meeting of the senior government and military leaders and "discussed the Pathankot attack incident and expressed Pakistan's condemnation of this incident and reiterated Pakistan's commitment to cooperate with India to completely eradicate the menace of terrorism afflicting our region," a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said.

"In line with Pakistan's commitment to effectively counter and eradicate terrorism, the meeting reviewed the progress made on the information provided by the Government of India. It was decided to remain in touch with the Government of India in this regard," the statement said.

The meeting expressed the confidence that building on the goodwill generated by the recent high level contacts, the two countries would remain committed to a sustained, meaningful and comprehensive dialogue process, the statement said.

The meeting affirmed Pakistan's strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and noted with satisfaction that Pakistan's counter-terrorism campaign had made significant gains and that Pakistan's entire leadership and institutions were working in complete harmony to counter terrorism and extremism.

"The people of Pakistan have evolved a political consensus for action against all terrorists and terrorist organizations without any distinction, and have resolved that no terrorist would be allowed to use Pakistan's soil for committing terrorism anywhere in the world," the statement said. Enditem